PACO NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTIf you've been on the web site recently, you've probably noticed some changes! We've been hard at work updating the web site and our first round of updates is almost complete! We've looked at each page on the web site and made sure that the information is current. We've made sure that contact information for all members of the leadership team are accurate. We've uploaded Board meeting minutes to current and updated the sustaining members. The final piece of Phase I of the web site update is uploading videos from 2024's general membership meetings, legal insights sessions, and workers' compensation round table sessions. The videos should be uploaded in the next week or two and will be available for viewing by PACO members.
We do want to mention one thing. When you select the job board from the drop down box, be sure to then click on "Enter the PACO Job Board" to view the most current job postings. In the next phase of web site updates, we'll look at ways to enhance the job board page so that members seeking a new position can quickly obtain all the information they need!
For Phase Two of the web site update, we're looking at how to make the site easier to navigate and more user-friendly, and how we can provide more in depth information on things like the job board, pro bono opportunities, OSBA certification, and more. Stay tuned for more!
HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR
Thanks to all of our members who came out for our Holiday Happy Hour at Beeline Easton Town Center! It was great to see colleagues and friends, and everyone had a great time. Thank you to Magna and Veritext, our sponsors for the evening - we could not have done it without you! Also, thank you to Ohio Reporting for coming out to celebrate with us and bringing such nice little gifts for us!
WORKERS' COMPENSATION ROUND TABLE
Please join us on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at noon via Zoom when Ken Finley and Kelly Permar from V & A Risk Services will discuss wage calculations. Registration is open on the web site.
LEGAL INSIGHTS
There will be no Legal Insights session in December due to the Christmas holiday. Sessions will resume in January 2025!
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Please join us on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at noon via Zoom when Charles Bluestone and Drew Merwine will joint us. This program will teach you how to calculate the real estate taxes due on Ohio properties and provide an overview of the tax appeal process. We will delve into how to prepare a Complaint Against Valuation, the pertinent deadlines, and the best evidence to utilize for different types of cases. Waiver of late payment penalties will also be covered. Additionally, we will touch on how to obtain a value reduction when properties are damaged or destroyed. Finally, the presenters will share a quick overview of how HB 126 sought to revamp Ohio’s tax appeal process and the current status of the litigation involving HB 126. Registration is open on the web site.
OSBA CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY GROUP
The OSBA Certification Exam Study Group will meet on January 20, 2025 at 6:30PM to review Legal Research and Writing. If you plan to sit for the OSBA Paralegal Certification Exam in May, it's not too late to join the study group. Contact Randi Daniels-Blair for more information at randi.daniels90@gmail.com
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT ALERT
On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a national preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act CTA), on the grounds that it falls outside the purview of Congress' power. The case is Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland, E.D. Tex., No. 4:24-cv-00478, 12/3/24. Please consult your attorneys on the current status of the CTA and how this decision may impact your clients' compliance requirements.
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT NEWS
The Franklin County Municipal Clerk has increased the court computerization fee assessed in all new case filings. For all case types, the amount assessed for the clerk computerization fee will increase from $10 to $15 effective January 1, 2025. Visit the Franklin County Municipal Court Website for more information.
https://www.franklincountymunicourt.org/About/Local-Rules
COUNTY RECORDERS NEWS
Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 94 on July 24, 2024. This law, effective October 24, 2024, mandates all county recorders to offer electronic recording options and to make their indexes and images available online for documents dating back to 1980. To fund the digitization and storage of these records, counties can impose a preservation surcharge of up to $5.00.
Given potential variations in fees across Ohio counties, it's advisable to verify recording fees with the respective county recorder's office.
PACO - OSBA Memberships Free to Paralegal Students!
Did you know that the OSBA offers a free membership to paralegal students through the date of their graduation? Some of the many benefits include:
- Complimentary CLE opportunities – including inclusion, diversity and equity training and quarterly legislative updates
- Career Center access – a nationwide legal job board which includes career planning tools and interview resources
- Access to online research tools, including Decisis™, the brand new next-generation legal research platform and our extensive practice library
- Unlimited committees and one complimentary section – to learn about specific practice areas and attend member meetings
- Online Member Communities – opportunity to network and engage with peers
- OSBA Report “Greenbook” – includes timely caselaw and statutory updates, legal news and more
Sign up through the Ohio Bar Law Student webpage.